Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue FAQs:

With the large number of amazing Coco’s Heart volunteers, donors and interested adopters, we would love everyone to know that we appreciate your passion and your help to keep Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue the amazing organization that it is! We have processes in place to streamline things as best we can, and in order to make our growing organization be the best it can be, we have processes that help assure our rescue stays top quality! We hope these FAQs, along with our website, help answer some questions! Thank you for choosing to rescue!

A word about our processing fee:In the first 3 months of 2016, we had 930 applications come into our rescue. After processing all of these applications on day 1 and 2 by our coordinator and admin person, less than 50% of applicants responded back. Out of the remaining 50% of our applicants, about 20% of the applicants replied and said they had already adopted after they submitted their application. What does that mean? Only about 30% of our total applicants ended up adopting despite our best efforts to process applications and make matches in a timely manner. That resulted in a lot of wasted processing time for a non profit dog rescue!We clearly outline our process for people to read before they apply. We want to help find a dog for 100% of our applicants. We suggest researching different rescues and applying to ONE rescue that you relate to their mission and want to support. Don't worry so much about the specific dog's photo that you are drawn to, choose the rescue, not the dog. We value high quality vet care and matchmaking. We value applicants that appreciate our process. It takes patience to go through rescue for your next pet, and it is not for everyone. Some might prefer to go to their local shelter to be able to look at many dogs and bring one home same day. That is great! We are all here to complete one mission-to save dogs and give them stable homes for the rest of their lives!

We will not answer or process an application without receiving the processing fee.

I have paid the processing fee, but have not received the application:Our application is online found on the ADOPT page. We do not email or send an application.

What are your shelter hours? We do not have a shelter, all of our dogs are in separate foster homes, and require an application to hold the dog and set up an appointment to meet the dog you are interested in.

I just have a quick question about a dog before I apply, who do I contact?We suggest that you fill out an application. There is no obligation to adopt once you learn more about the dog or meet them. Due to the volume of emails we receive, we give priority to people who have filled out an application. We appreciate people’s interest and enthusiasm with dog rescue, and hope that a serious adopter would take the time to apply and go by our process. It really does work!

What is your phone number?We do not have a public phone. We document all our correspondences using email. Very often, all questions can be answered on our website. You can also ask a question in your application. Details about a specific dog’s weight, personality, etc. will be answered if you are the first applicant in line for that dog. We appreciate people’s understanding about the high volume of interest, and why we need to communicate via email. It allows us to be fair and keep inquiries in order.

Why are your adoption fees so “high”?Our adoption fees are non-negotiable, and are the same whether you are a part of Coco’s Heart as a volunteer or not. Our adoption fees go toward our high quality vetting, and keep our rescue going! More information on what goes into our fees and vetting can be found in the adoption section of our website.

Do you discount your fees?Our fees are non-negotiable. If you cannot afford an adoption fee, we suggest that you research the costs involved in dog ownership. Veterinarians are a good resource to contact if you would like to know the costs involved in dog ownership. The adoption fee is only the beginning!

Do you require a fenced yard to adopt? We do not require a fence to adopt one of our dogs. We will follow up about your safety plan when your dog is outside if you do not have a fence.

Why do you require obedience classes? Included in our adoption agreement is a clause that we require our adopters to enroll into obedience classes for all dogs under 12 months old, and strongly recommend it for all dogs. Sadly, 100 percent of all of our young dogs that have been returned to us, the owners did not hold up their end of the contract and did not enroll in a class. Even those of us who have already been through obedience classes before understand how important it is for each individual dog for learning obedience. It is also fun! We feel strongly that obedience classes help strengthen bonds, communication, and enhance basic obedience. Regardless if a person has completed an obedience class, each dog should enroll in a class to ensure they receive the benefits of the classes. It may seem silly..but they really do make a big difference!

What is your adoption timeline?We process applications M-F, and approval takes 1-3 business days. If you do not hear back in 3 business days, please email Adoptions and/or check your email junk folder. Our adoption process can be very quick if all goes well, please be ready to adopt when you submit the application. We cannot hold a dog in rescue and do request a timely manner for scheduling the home visit and meet'n'greet. Our adopters must be able to adopt the dog when the dog is available- we will not hold the dog for additional weeks. We do not answer applications where the fee has not been paid. The meet and greet and adoption timeline depends on when the dog arrived and their age. Our young puppies are posted 10 days to 3 weeks in advance and cannot have meets until surgeries and vaccinations have been completed. With all of our other dogs, the meets and adoptions can happen within days of initial approval, so please apply when you are ready to adopt, as we cannot hold dogs for vacations, moving, etc.

Do you adopt outside of the Twin Cities/Hudson area?Yes! We adopt all over the USA and sometimes out of the country. However, the applicant needs to be able to meet the dog in person in the Twin Cities/Hudson, WI area. We also complete a home visit in your area, so it can take a bit longer while waiting for the adoption process to complete. We do not transport dogs to you, you must meet and adopt in person.

If I previously applied for, or adopted a dog from you, do I need to reapply? If you received an email communication in response to your previous application, you can reply to that email, or email adoptions@cocosheartdogrescue.org and ask if your application is on file. If you applied or adopted before April, 2015, or if your information has significantly changed, please fill out our online adoption form again.

Why do you spend so much on your vet bills?We have made a conscious decision to use veterinarians to administer all of our exams, vaccinations and care, just as the owner will do once they adopt and take over future medical care. We want our dogs to have the best start possible. For more information about what our veterinarians do when our dogs arrive to rescue, please read the adoption page to learn where our fees go. Our adoption fees reflect our high quality vet care.

Are you a non profit?Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue is a nonprofit organization, 501 (c)3 status. State of Wisconsin licensed and inspected: 400340-DS

I want to adopt a puppy. Can I meet the litter and choose?Applicants choose a puppy to set up a meet with based on their website profile. We do not allow visits with our litters until the puppies have had 2 rounds of vaccinations to ensure they are healthy when adopted. Many visitors can jeopardize a litter’s health and cause the puppies to become sick. When the applicant chooses a puppy that is available, we hold that puppy “pending” for them until the meet and greet. Then, the applicant can decide if they would like to finalize adoption at that time. Each puppy in a litter will only have one applicant signed up to meet them, we do not accept multiple applicants for our dogs or puppies. In the unlikely event the applicant does not finalize adoption at the meet, we move to the next interested applicant.

I would like to meet multiple dogs on your website, how do I set up multiple meets?Our applicants can meet multiple dogs, however, we ask that you meet the dogs one at a time. You would set up a meet with your first choice based on the website information and availability. Then, you have 24 hours where that dog is on "hold" just for you. If you decide to meet more dogs, then the first dog that you have met becomes available again to any waiting applicants. A great way to meet multiple dogs in a short amount of time is to attend one of our adoption events.

Can I meet a dog and then adopt when I return from vacation, or on a future date?Our application states that we cannot hold dogs in rescue. Your application will be processed in 1-3 business days (M-F). Please do not apply until you are ready to bring home the dog. (Our youngest litters may not be ready for a couple weeks, depending on age) Please understand that there will always be a function or a trip, and on our application we ask what your arrangements would be if you have to be away from home. If you cannot utilize your plans for boarding or dog sitting, please do not hold up a dog's possible adoption. We rely on the availability of our great fosters, and delaying adoption means the inability to rescue the next dog!

Which dogs will be at your upcoming adoption event?We do not require our fosters to sign up for events, it is all volunteer. Please stop by to see if the dog you are interested in is there. If you want to meet a specific dog, please apply. You are not obligated to meet or adopt once you apply if you do not feel the dog is a match. We can find the best match for you by reading your application! Our youngest puppies cannot attend events until they have had 2 rounds of vaccinations.

I have food, blankets, meds, money raised, etc. Where can I bring them? Thank you for donating to Coco's Heart Dog Rescue! Donations can be dropped off at our supporter, Angel's Pet World in Hudson, WI. We cannot accept any opened food or medicine of any kind.

I need a receipt for my donation or corporate donation. Can you send me one?Thank you for donating to Coco's Heart Dog Rescue! Please email jennifer@cocosheartdogrescue.org to receive confirmation of your donation and a receipt.

I know a dog that needs help, or a dog that someone can't keep anymore. Can you take it?Please email our director ashley@cocosheartdogrescue.org for dog surrenders. If we have room (and an open foster), she will return your email. We receive many requests and do our best to take in dogs that need help!

Looking for information on fostering or volunteering?Please visit the pages for fostering and volunteering under the HELP menu. There you will find information on how you can help, and our applications. We look forward to you helping our rescue!